M.P. Thenuri Navinma Keerthisena from Maliyadeva Girls’ College, Kurunegala, won first place (in the 8,9 and 10 sections) in the National Stamp Exhibition Design Competition to mark World Postal Day 2024, organised by the Postal Bureau. She secured third place in the letter-writing competition organised for schoolchildren by the Postal Training Institute affiliated with the Sri Lanka Postal Department.
In line with the 150th World Postal Day, the National Postal Festival 2024 was held on October 9, 2024 at Temple Trees under the patronage of Secretary, Ministry of Buddhist Affairs, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security, and Media, Ranjith Ariyaratne.
Many accolades
Thenuri, who has showcased her skills through stamps, is studying in Grade 9 at Maliyadeva Girls’ College, Kurunegala. Since childhood, she has been passionate about stamp collecting and has won many accolades.
“I love collecting stamps as much as reading books and newspapers. Stamps are like books. You can enjoy a stamp just like reading a book. Both books and stamps bring great joy to the heart. Stamps significantly enhance our knowledge.
A good stamp collection is like a library, an ocean of knowledge, and a historical record of a country. Stamps can easily attract tourists and help showcase the value and importance of our unique culture to the world.
I fondly remember with love and respect my dear mother and father, who encouraged my love for stamps, my younger brother who helped, the teachers and staff at Maliyadeva Girls’ College, the Atugalpura Stamp Society, and everyone else who supported me.”
Thenuri is excelling in her education while participating in extracurricular activities. She serves as a school environmental leader, a young girl guide, and an active member of the Stamp Society. She is involved in media activities and has contributed as an assistant editor of the school’s official newspaper, ‘Manavika.’
Her hobbies include stamp collecting, reading books, engaging in creative activities, and appreciating natural beauty. She strives to develop her skills by spending her free time with knowledge, joy and creativity.
Interesting reviews
Since childhood, she has been a member of the Kurunegala Public Library. It is her habit to take notes from the books she reads and write interesting reviews about them. Sometimes, she submits her creations to newspapers, sharing her experiences with others. A home library, built according to her ideas, has been established in her house and is registered with the National Library and Documentation Services Board. During vacations, she enjoys ‘travelling the world with a book.’
